Maitreya Kali “Inca”
Despite reading the occasional negative review, I think Inca by Maitreya Kali is a good one. Maitreya Kali is actually Craig Smith who was one of the key members of California folk-rock band the Penny Arkade. Theirs was a sound influenced by mystical psychedelia but also grounded in American roots and C&W.
Chris Ducey along with Craig Smith were the creative architects of this hardluck outfit and many of their songs employed guitar distortion, plenty of Californian harmonies and jangly, amplified country folk twang. Some of the Penny Arkade tracks appeared on Inca when it was released in 1972. Apache, Smith’s debut, had appeared earlier that year and also featured a handful of Penny Arkade leftovers from 1966-1968. Both albums feature Craig Smith solo tracks and while both records are solid, Inca may have a slight edge in terms of quality.
In his earlier years, Craig Smith had written songs for the Monkees, Andy Williams and Glen Campbell. With these songwriting royalties Smith traveled the world and financed the release of the Apache and Inca albums. Solo tracks such as Sam Pan Boat are very sensitive and fragile acid folk with pretty vocals and a beautiful burned out ambience. The Penny Arkade tracks have a sound that has often been compared to a garage version of Buffalo Springfield. Their most popular song, included on this album was the 12 and a half minute Knot the Freeze. This psychedelic folk-rock opus is a must for 60’s fans and strongly resembles Buffalo Springfield’s Broken Arrow in it’s suite-like structure. Knot the Freeze reportedly received some local airplay when Inca was released but it is by no means the only highlight on this private release. There are other good Arkade tracks like the tuneful garage folk-rocker Lights of Dawn and the confused acid folk philosophy of Thesis. Country Girl was one of their unqualified triumphs as a band, a prehistoric shimmering country rock number with carefree lyrics and an honesty that is rare in much music.
Not much is known about Craig Smith’s whereabouts today, although it’s been said that after these lps were released he suffered a mental breakdown possibly due to drug intake. Both albums are really good listening and well worth a spin for fans of psychedelia and roots music. Sundazed recently released all of the Penny Arkade’s recordings, including 16 unreleased tracks from the vaults. This disc is also highly recommended to fans of folk-rock, psychedelia or anyone wanting to delve a little deeper into the world of 60’s underground rock.
Craig Smith solo:
“Sam Pan Boat”
The Penny Arkade:
“Country Girl”
[ Buy from Amazon
Also Recommended
What a sleeve! Thanx go to Lord and Lady Lennon, Neil Young, Paul Butterfield right on the cover! And I guess Maitreya didn’t think it was quite finished until doodled upon. Nor can I figure out why it’s titled Satya Sai Maitreya Kali but everybody refers to it only as Maitreya Kali.
Brendan November 20, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Craig Smith came here yesterday to apply for an apartment – He was nice and reasonable but is very obviously living on the street – His clothes are filthy and he smells really bad. One of the tenants said he’s been seeing him wandering this neighbor hood for at least two years . He needs help – He said he used to live on Multiview years ago. I felt so sorry for him. I had no clue as to he was and looked him up after he told me he was a songwriter. We are in Studio City Ca, Hopefully someone who cares for him will help him out.
So, yes he really dissapeared.
Susan Hannon April 18, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
Susan, please tell Craig that lots of people really enjoy his work. He’s a great songwriter, much underrated.
mary epworth July 28, 2009 @ 11:08 am
hi susan, i wonder if you know about craig smith’s whereabouts…do you know if he finally managed to live in Studio City?
alex c August 11, 2009 @ 6:08 pm
I knew Craig (Maitreya) back in the early 70’s, and even played drums in a band he got together back then. He picked me up hitch-hiking on my way from the Bodhi Tree Bookstore to UCLA, which was how we met. He had recently changed his name to Maitreya, and believed himself to be the next Buddha. I don’t think drugs were responsible for his delusional state – more likely it was due to injuries (including a concussion) he had suffered when he was mugged while traveling through Afganistan. Whatever, he is indeed a great song wrighter! Anybody know where he is now?
Nipuna Dharma January 11, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
Craig is living on the street here in Studio City CA . He is not mentally well, judging by his outer appearance (he smells really really bad) he is just getting by . I wish someone would take him in, but that is a big obligation. I wish him the best and hope he is some how saved.
Susan Hannon January 12, 2010 @ 6:50 am
rafael, do you know if that band did any recordings?
alex c February 6, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
A few months back I contacted two of Craig’s former bandmates (well, technically I told one who told another) to pass on informtaion about where we think he is.
I hope someone tracks him down and helps him out. If I wasn’t in Colorado I would.
Mark.
Mark Tunnell March 16, 2010 @ 9:55 pm